Keeping an injured chicken indoors--advice please!!!

[chickygrrl]

Thanks so much! I love the pic!

I wandered around our local hardware store today until I found the perfect thing. A 16 gallon black plastic utility tub. It fits PERFECTLY in the crate (so perfectly it wouldn't fit in the door, I had to unclip the front panel) and has 8" sides. I love the idea of using Press 'n' Seal, too...I'll have to remember to pick some up next time I'm at the store. I'll have DH pick up some antibiotics at the feed store next week.

You guys are the greatest. Thanks for all the help!

 

[HappyHatcher]

I agree - Dog crates are the BEST way to go. Roomy yet small enough to feel safe. Easy clean-up and easy for YOU to get in and about. Plenty of ventilation and your hen can see whats going on around her etc. Always good to have a large dog crate if you have a good sized flock. Doubles for the trusty farm dog and any sick/recovering chick-a-dees

GOOD LUCK. The fact that you are Caring enough to care this much = the best medicine for sure <3
I love me some chickens <3

 

[LAMchop]

Currently using a dog crate here too, for my Priscilla. I've been bedding it with dried grass clippings from this summer, changed daily, but those are about to run out so we'll have to switch to shavings. I put that black plastic gutter guard stuff around the bottom of the crate to contain everything (it was actually there to keep baby chicks from popping out).
She stays in our sunroom most of the time, but has an outdoor cage for warm days. I've never noticed a smell.
Miss Priscilla is actually better now, but we love having her in the house! Its so funny to watch her wander around the house, pecking at everything shiny...

 

[savingdogs]

Another vote for dog crate, worked for us, however it sounds like I've learned some improvements here today on this thread for next time!

 

[DawnSuiter]

"Honey" lives in my window right now, big bay window that stays in the 50* temperature range so she still feels the chill, in the exact same crate with the exact same utility tub (i have lots of those tubs I use them everywhere!!) She didn't get her feathers back before winter and we nearly lost her.

She's great. Cage cups make everything SO MUCH EASIER, and I prefer wood chips for indoor use.. the really large ones if possible.

 

[chickygrrl]

OK, one more question...

She is normally a free ranger...should I be providing her some kind of grit while she's indoors? We haven't had to buy any yet, so I'm not sure what to get. I'm asking because I noticed her doing this weird opening and closing of her beak and moving around her tongue..like she was eating something out of the air. She hasn't been eating much of her layer feed at all, but is enjoying bread, fruit, cooked eggs, etc. I'm wondering if this is a digestive/grit thing.

 

[DawnSuiter]

Chickygrrl,
I wouldn't be providing anything other than basically mush (scrambled eggs or oatmeal) without providing some kind of grit. Bread is not something I ever feed but it might be ok.. I don't know about fruit & needing grit.

Tractor Supply has small bags of grit for chicks & adults and that will make you feel assured she has everything she could need.
Grit also comes in the form of course sand, small rocks, pebbles found around the yard when she's ranging.

About the open mouth... is she panting? Yawning? Does she do that ALL THE TIME? Or frequently enough to seem like it?
Perhaps she's too hot, which if she has some basic infection could raiser her body temperature while she's trying to fight it off.

 

[miyanaross]

Hello Friend,

As i gone through your problem, the best what i can suggest is to purchase a bulk storage locker. Don't get scared by the word locker, actually the locker means it involves all type of sections even for their food stuff and huge space to roam. They are wired form all sides but the floor can be designed as per the requirement without investing much. You can get various type of wire partition systems that can provide proper ventilation. I suggest you to refer http://www.accordiondoors.com/, here you will find types of wire enclosure and partitioning system. Even i have purchased cylindrical storage cabinets for my work. Hope this will help you...............................